Relentless pursuit of excellence...Eduardo Da Silva

In August 2006 Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger witness a player score the first European goal at the team's new home the Emirates Stadium. He was so impressed with the player that he contacted the players club Dinamo Zagreb on the his availability. The request was successful and the player moved from Croatia to the English premiership to fill an attacking void left by Arsenal's most potent striker the legendary Theirry Henry. Little was known of this player and critics had a field day questioning Wenger's transfer decision. I too had my doubts and decided to look for videos on the player. My research made me a believer and I was almost certain the player would lay his mark on Arsenal for season's to come.

This player is Eduardo and many have learned what an awe inspiring individual this player is on and off the pitch. His debut season was cut short by an devastating injury just over a year ago that led many to believe he would never return back to the potential he had. He with the help of Arsenal's outstanding medical staff proved naysayers wrong when he returned and scored two goals in his first team debut and went on to score on of the most brilliant volley goals of the season. Anyone who questioned his skill before his strike on Cardiff's goal have fell silent in reverence to skills be possesses. It was a beacon to the Premiership that Eduardo is back and in deadly form.

Eduardo is a rare breed in modern football. A player with amazing talent but does not carry himself with arrogance. He is a natural goal scorer, a poacher like Real Madrid's Van Nistelrooy. He is a striker in and out also possesses the pace and footwork skill to ply his trade on the wing servicing the attack. Place a the ball close to goal and he is almost certain to score. He displays composure in front of goal which even top strikers in the world fail to possess for years. Once the ball is at his feet in front of goal it is as if time stops, defenders and goal keepers try their hardest to put him off his game to no avail, he simply brushes their distractions aside and focuses on his only target, the back of the net. He possesses the quickness and intelligence to make it look easy to score. Simple tap ins, headers, shots outside the box, volleys and bicycle kicks have all been utilized to achieve his goal. What happens next is usually more amazing. Eduardo hardly partakes in extravagant celebrations that modern players are now known for. He intead just issues a smile a nod and presses towards getting himself back in position to continue the game. It was only since his return that he has been celebrated his goals with devour pushing players and obstacles out of his way during his first team returning goal to console his team doctor, thanking him for bringing him back to full health.

The 5ft 9 striker was born in Rio De Janiero, Brazil and developed his talent at a club in his neighbourhood Bantu. In 1999 scouts from Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb were in Brazil looking for talent and came upon on the talented Brazilian. He was taken to the club on trial and eventually became a part of the youth squad. He made his debut in the first team in 2001 but was then loaned out to a second division Croatian club Inter Zapresic in the following season. His time on loan was successful and he scored an impressive 10 goals in just 15 appearances. This resulted in him being recalled back to Dinamo where he earned his place in the first team line up. He began to be known for scoring goals and setting up assists. He scored 18 goals in 18 appearances consecutively in the 06-07 season and led his team to 2 Crotian league titles and placements in European competitions.

During his time in Croatia he also decided to take up citizenship and joined the Croatian youth team in under 21 team in 02. He made 12 appearances and scored 8 goals. It was not long before he was called up to the senior team and after 06 WC which he did not participate in he began to play an integral role in their new managers attacking strategy. He has made 23 appearances and scored 13 goals. His National manager Slaven Bilic made it clear that the team were at a disadvantage without their top striker due to his season ending injury.

In the summer of 07 Arsenal purchased Eduardo for 7.5 million pds and he became immediately involved in the clubs preseason friendly cup matches. He scored his first goal in a Gunners shirt in a 2-1 win against Italian side Lazio in the pre-seaon Amsterdam Cup. He then made his season debut in August against Blackburn as a substitute in a 1-1 draw. His first competitive goal came in European qualifier competition against Sparta Prague. He then went on to gradually adjust into his new team making cameo appearances in domestic cup matches. It was not until the Christmas period of last season that Eduardo began to become a regular fixture in the Arsenal first time premiership line up. Injuries to main striker Robin Van Persie created an opportunity for him to become a starting striker and he grasped it open handedly. He went on to score a series of important goals for Arsenal until his leg was broken by a reckless tackle on the 23rd of February. It immediately ended his season and left him 12 goals and 8 assist in 31 appearances.

There was great worry that he would not be able to participate at a high level after the injury, but this was put to rest during practice matches during team training. The players internal drive and determination along with the incredible work of Arsenal's medical staff brought Eduardo back to the pitch in awe inspiring form. Eduardo scored a hat trick against his team mates in private match and then went on to improve in the reserves. He returned back to his national team in February and gave an winning assist. His return to the first team line up despite being recieving a number of set backs due to niggling injuries has been impressive. He has scored 3 goals in 2 appearances including a a volley from the outside of his foot against Prem hopefuls Burnsley in the FA Cup that is touted as one of the best goals ever excecuted. There is no question that he has returned even stronger than before and will contribute to the remaining Arsenal's season. It gives me great joy to see Eduardo return, I remember the fateful day when I witnessed his injury on my screen and prayed that he would recover, I was overjoyed when I saw him leap in the air to head the ball into the net in the FA Cup replay against Cardiff. It showed that with great determination and good spirits even the most destructable of obstacles can be overcome and one can continue onwards in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Welcome back Eduardo we missed you dearly.